Holding device for disposable containers



F. F. Nl-:ssLEIN ETAL 2,871,051

HOLDING DEVICE FOR nIsPosABLE CONTAINERS Filed sept. 15, 1955 Jan.- 27, 1959 ,Qn-affari United States Patent O HOLDING DEVICE FOR DISPOSABLE CONTAINERS Floyd Nesslein and Robert J. Nesslein, Pagedale, Mo. Application September 15, 1955, Serial No. 534,489 Claims. (Cl. 294-31) This invention relates generally to handling devices for receptacles and more particularly to a removable holder for disposable containers.

,Onel of the objects of the present invention is to provide a holding device that is removably engageable with containers for facilitating the use thereof.

Another object is to provide a holding device for lifting and carrying containers such as disposable milk cartons or the like.

Another more specific object is to provide a holding device for carrying milk cartons and providing a fulcrum lfacilitating the dispensing of liquid therefrom.

Another object is to provide a holding device that is light-weight, durable, economical and easily applied and removed from a container.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent hereinafter. .i

Briey, the invention comprises a holder for a container including a handle, means for positioning the handle against the wall of the container, and supporting means in engagement with the container.

4The invention also consists in the parts and in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed. v

In 4the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification and wherein like numerals refer to like parts wherever they occur: l

Fig. lis a perspective view of a holder constructedv in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view'of the holder applied to a disposable milk carton, and

Fig. 3 is a top plan view ofthe holder and carton taken substantially along line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, a holding device embodying the teachings of the present invention is shown applied to a disposable milk carton 12 for the purposes of disclosure, although it is adaptable for use with other containers.

Briefly, the milk carton 12 is constructed of heavy waxed paper, paperboard, or the like and includes side walls 14, a bottom closure or wall 16 and a prismatic or roof-shaped top closureshown generally at 18, Figs. 2 and 3. More specifically, the top closure or wall 18 includes pairs of opposed flaps 20 and 22 articulated together and to the side Walls 14, the flaps 20 being pro-y vided with diagonally arranged score lines 24 to permit inward folding bellows-wise toform opposed pyramidalshaped recesses under the aps 22 which deiine the top wall 18. Extensions 26 are provided on each of the aps 20 and 22 so that an upstanding tin or flange 28 is formed on the ridge of the prismatic top, and one of the flaps 22 is provided with a closing ilap 30 for enclosing the iin 28. When the carton 12 is filled and the top wall 18 is heat sealed, the extensions 26 forming the fin 28 are positioned in air-tight abutting relationship by the closing flap 30 and the wax seals all openings.

, The carton 12 is conditioned for dispensing 4by tearing a portion of flap 30 and unfolding one of the flaps 20 2,871,051 Patented Jan. 27, 1959 FVice outwardly'along its score lines 24 to form a spout 32, as in Figs. 2 and 3.

' In the past, the user of these cartons has had to lift and carry the carton or dispense milk therefrom by holding the carton generally in both hands because of the flexible walls. However, the weight of, a full carton together with its waxed exterior often causes the carton to be dropped, particularly if the users hands are wet. Accordingly, the present handling device 10 provides a safe positive-acting means for lifting and carrying a milk carton or the like, and for dispensing milk therefrom.

Referring to Fig. 1, the holding device 10 comprises a handle portion 34, a band portion 36 for positioning the handle 34 adjacent to one of the carton walls 14, a supporting portion 38 adapted to be positioned in engagement with the top closure 18 of the carton 12, and a retaining or control portion 40 for engagement with another carton wall 14.

The holding device 10 is preferably constructed from strip material so that at surface contacts with the milk carton 12 will be provided. The band 36 is continuous and has outwardly bowed sides 42 to freely accommodate the outwardly bellied sides 14 of the carton 12 when full,

. ner, such as by rivets (not shown).

asrshown in the phantom lines of Fig. 3. The lower ends of the handle and control portions 34 and 40 are secured to opposite sides 42 of the band 36 in any suitable man- The handle 34 is provided with an abutment 44 adapted to bear against the carton wall 14 adjacentto the line of articulation between the wall and the flap 20 of the top closure 18, and the control portion 40 is provided with an arcuate lip 46 adapted to contact the opposite carton wall a preselected distance below its line of articulation with the top closure 18. The handle 34 is also provided with a suitable hand grip 48, a thumb control shelf 50 being formed between the hand grip 48 and the abutment 44. It is now apparent that when the band 36 of the holding device 10 circumscribes the carton 12, the handle and control portions 34 and 40 are positioned against opposite carton walls 14 so that outward movement of the handle relative to the carton is restrained by the control portion 40.

The supporting portion 38 (Fig. l) is preferably formed integral with the abutment 44, the supporting portion iucluding a finger 52 which is positioned in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the abutment 44 by providing the strip material with a twist as at 54. The twist 54 is formed so that the finger S2 extends angularly upwardly from the abutment 44 and is adapted to be positioned in the pyramidal-shaped recess deiined by the ap 20 opposite the spout forming iiap 20. The unconnected upper edge of the finger 52 is formed into a smooth curve 56 having suflicient contact area to prevent tearing when engaged with the carton 12 (Fig. 2), theA side edges of the finger 52 tapering upwardly as at 60-60' towardthe curve 56 at substantially 30 to provide a suiiiciently broad base therefor but limit the amount of material be-4 ing inserted into the pyramidal-shaped recess. It is now apparent that when the holding device 10 is positioned on the carton 12, the finger 52 extends into the pyramidalshaped recess with its curve 56 positioned between the extensions V26 of the iin 28. inasmuch as the band 36 is larger than the carton 12, the holding device 10 is rockingly mounted thereon with the linger engaged in the ,iin

In use, `the holding device 10 is positioned over thetop closure of the carton 12 and the band 36 moved downwardly into circumscribing position about the carton walls 14, the band 36 being large enough to freely enclose the cart-on 12 without scraping wax from the sides thereof. When the linger 52 is positioned below the fin 28 of the carton, the holding device 10 is moved upwardly so that the finger 52 is inserted between the extensions 26 of' 3. the aps 20 and 22. The abutment 44 is thus broughti into contact with the carton, wall 14 adjacent to the ap 2.0 and prevents, downward .Slidinanmvement f the, holding device on the carton 12. The control portion. 40. bears against the carton wall 14 below the spout 32 `and opposite to handle 34.

The carton 12 is lifted and carried on the finger 52 of the support portion 38. This linger 5,2 also. provides a. fulcrum for supporting the carton when it is tilted to dispense milk therefrom, the control portion 40 preventing the handle and support portions 34 and 3S from being displaced from the carton 12. The holding device 10 is easily disengaged from the carton by pulling the two apart, the control portion 4i) having suiiicient re. siliency to permit limited movement of the handle and support portions 34 and 38 away from the carton 12. Of course, the force exerted in separating the holding de-L vice 10 from the carton 12 is in excess of the weight of the carton 12 when full so that the resiliency of the conel trol portion 4) is not great enough to permit disengagement of the handle and support portions 34 and 38 from. the carton 12 when it is being carried or tilted to dispense milk.

The holding device 10 may be constructed of any suitable material, preferably cold-rolled steel, which is pro-i vided with a rust resistant coating, such as cadmium or. the like, to give the holder long life and add to its attractiveness. It is apparent that a holding device of cold-rolled steel can be constructed from relatively thin and narrow strips so that a durable lightweight holding device is provided.

It is also within, the scope of the present invention to removably or pivotally attach the handle and control por-l ltions 34 and4't) to the band` 36 so that packaging will befacilitated.

These and other-changes and modifications apparent to all those skilled` inthe art are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow:

`What we claim is:

1. A holder fora waxed paper milk carton and the like of the type having a bottom closure and a roof-shaped top wall with an upstanding multiple ply ridge ange and further having a laterally opening recess under said top wall, comprising carton-engaging means including an upperflifter section and a lower carton-encircling section' and a handle connecting said sections, said lifter section being insertable into the carton recess in abutment with the top wall for supporting, lifting and carrying the carton, said carton-encircling section being adapted to cirA eumscribe the carton intermediate the bottom closure and top wall thereof, and single and elongated control, means having a lower end connected to said carton-en circling section and extending upwardly therefrom for bearing against the carton adjacent to the top wall on the side opposite from said handle for holding the lifter section in abutment with the carton top wall.

2. A holding device for a waxed paper carton having opposed pairs -of side walls and a folded roof-shaped top closure with a laterally opening recess under the top closure, said holding device comprising a single carton encircling band having outwardly bowed sides adapted to freely pass around a carton, a handle -connected to one `side of said carton encircling band, a single elongated resilient control lever connected to another side of said carton encircling band, Said handle and control lever being adapted to be positioned against opposite side walls of v'a carton, and support means formed integral with said handle and adapted to be inserted into the carton recess to engage the top closure of a carton, said control lever extending upwardly from said carton encircling band a substantial distance and having an arcuate lip formed on its upper end for pressing abutment with the wall of a carton at a predetermined position adjacent to the top closure thereof whereby said support means will be held in the carton recess in engagement with the topy closure of the carton.

3. In combination with a holding device for a waxed paper carton which becomes slippery when wet, the paper carton having opposed pairs of side walls and a folded roof-shaped top closure with a laterally opening recess under the top closure, and the holding device including a single carton encircling band, a handle connected to one side of the band and a support member formed integral with the handle and adapted to be inserted into the carton recess to engage the top closure of the carton; the improvement which comprises control means adapted to maintain the support member in the carton recess in engagement with the top closure of the carton for carrying the carton and pouring therefrom, said control means comprising a single elongated resilient pressure member having a lower end secured to the carton encircling band on the side opposite to the handle, said pressure member extending upwardly abovethe band and having an upper end with an arcuate lip adapted to abut a carton side wall at a preselected point adjacent to the top closure and opposite to the upper. portion of the handle, said pressure member being resilient to permit thecarton to pass through the carton encircling band between the handle and support member on one side and said pressure member on the opposite side whereby the support member is adapted tobe inserted into the carton recess, and said pressure. member preventing the handle from moving away from the carton to disengage the sup.I port members from the top closure until a force in excess of the weight of a full carton is applied to the handle to move the support member. out of engagement with the top closure whereby the holder is removable from the carton.

4. The holder according to claim l wherein said upper lifter section and handle are integral and have an abutment formed therebetween, said abutment being adapted for contact with the carton immediately adjacent to the carton recess, and said lifter section includes an integral ilattened end linger portion positioned in the plane of the upstanding ridge flange for insertion between plies thereof.

5. The holder according to claim 4 wherein said integral lifter section, abutment and handle are formed of attened stock whereby said abutment has a surface contact with the carton, and said lifter section has a twist therein above said abutment so that said attened end linger portion is in the plane of the ridge ange.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,177,562 Amato Mar. 28, 1916 1,900,783 Weiss Mar. 7, 1933 1,960,507 Platt May 29, 1934 2,463,651 Stevens Mar. 8, 1949 2,635,000 Baker Apr. 14, 1953 2,675,264 Vander Lugt Apr. 13, 1954 2,757,034 Puhl July 31, 1956 2,765,969 Bennington Oct. 9, 1956 2,810,503 Krueger Oct. 22, 1957 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,871,051 January 2'7, 1959 Floyd F, Nesslen 'et al.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of thev above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

n Column ,31 line 52', for' "Single and elongated controln read single' elongated resilient contro e,

Signed and sealed this 16th day ofl June 1959.

(SEAL) Attest:

KAEL n. AXLTNE ROBERT c. WATSON Attesting Oiicer Commissioner of Patents 

